Editor’s Letter

For more inspiration and wedding vendor information, visit our website at www.BlackBride.com, follow us on Instagram @BlackBride1998. Email us at hello@blackbride.com and let us know what you think of the winter issue.

DEAR BRIDES,

Happy New Year! Congrats on your engagement. Whether you are newly engaged, or you’ve been waiting to marry the love of your life for months or even years, we commend you for being patient, flexible, and creative as you navigate your way down the aisle. Just like 2021, 2022 is gearing up to be a very busy wedding season, and we cannot wait to see and share your love stories and the details your creative professionals design for you.

This issue is all about bridal fashion! As we continue to navigate through to a post-COVID life, we recommend working with a planner who can help you to navigate the CDC’s ever-changing gathering guidelines. We also take note that there have been many changes to the world as we knew it. Part of the change helped move the industry forward and pivot into a new direction as it relates to bridal style and a desire to move past traditional white dresses with lots of tulle and sparkle. The looks in our cover story are a variety of designs from various 2022 collections that showcase classy, elegant styles suitable for everything from your bridal shower to your wedding day and beyond.

Of course, this issue is all about love, too! I sat down via Zoom with “Being Mary Jane” actress Raven Goodwin, who shared her endearing, manifested love story and intimate dream wedding with her financial executive beau, Wiley Battle, in Santorini, Greece. Also, be sure to check out the cover story featuring stunning model, actress, and activist Mame Adjei and her dapper actor fiancé Kwabana Seth Oduro. Mame is a real gem to work with — a professional that moved about like a chameleon in each look we styled for her.

As you flip through the 2021/22 winter issue, know we are so honored and excited to share Black love stories! We hope you can see your own story reflected back at you as you read about the love between real couples, and we hope you feel inspired by the work amazing wedding professionals are doing to bring your vision to life on your big day. Like all of the content we share, we curate it just for you — and I’m so excited for you to explore every page.

Cheers to love, health, and 2022!

Mary Mary Chatman Editor-in-Chief CHECK OUT OUR EDITORS’ TOP PICKS FOR THE SEASON